(1) Sentences 8.7.4.2. (1), (2) and (4) to (11) apply to the construction of a filter bed.
(2) The lines of distribution pipes or leaching chambers shall be evenly spaced over the surface of the filter medium to which the sanitary sewage is applied, with a maximum spacing between the centrelines of the distribution pipes or leaching chambers in accordance with Table 8.7.5.3.
(3) The filter medium shall have a minimum depth of 750 mm below the stone layer or bottom of the leaching chambers and shall be clean sand comprised of particles ranging in size between the limits of,
(a) an effective size of 0.25 mm with a uniformity coefficient not less than 3.5,
(b) an effective size of 2.5 mm with a uniformity coefficient not greater than 1.5, and
(c) having a uniformity coefficient not greater than 4.5.
(4) The filter medium shall be unsaturated for its entire depth.
(5) Where there is more than one filter bed in a leaching bed, the filter beds shall be separated by at least 5 m between the distribution pipes or leaching chambers of the filter beds.
(6) The base of the filter medium shall extend to a thickness of at least 250 mm over an area meeting the requirements of the following formula:
A=QT/850
where,
A =the area of contact in square metres between the base of the filter medium and the underlying soil,
Q =the total daily design sanitary sewage flow in litres, and
T =the lesser of 50 and the percolation time of the underlying soil.
(7) The stone layer or bottom of the leaching chambers shall be not less than 900 mm above the high ground water table, rock or soil with a percolation time of more than 50 minutes.